This blog of mine began as a place to record all our family holidays. I enjoyed scribbling in notebooks while we were away but typing them up and then committing them to the internet was a strange feeling. All the daft things we did became more public as I became part of the blogging community and was able to share my writing with others.
So you can imagine my surprise and excitement when I was approached a few weeks ago via Twitter, by a PR company working for Eurocamp, offering me a family holiday of between 4 and 7 days in France at one of their fabulous parcs, so that I could review it on my blog.
Of course I agreed straight away and Dougie, the true Scot that he is, was positively ecstatic at the thought of a family break without his trusty credit card getting a hammering. My son was so impressed he told all his mates on Facebook and MSN. In fact they were both quite amazed that my tippy-tapping on the computer was going to permit them a freebie holiday. As for me, I sported a huge grin and an air of superiority for at least a couple of days and no-one dared complain when my attention drifted to the laptop instead of the cooker at dinner time.
We have now booked a four-day holiday during the next half-term break at the 4 Star Parc Domaine de Drancourt in Picardy staying in a 3-bedroomed superior home with decking. Having experienced similar camping holidays when Rory was six and seven and thoroughly enjoyed them, I’m hoping this will be just as good with our son now a teenager. I suspect we won’t see much of him!
Postscript: A knock at the door just now. It’s the postman with a large parcel from Eurocamp: a beach bag, map, playing cards and….. two super-soakers. They know the way to a young lad’s heart!
Oooh, jealous (helloooo, any PRs reading this, would happily have a free holiday in exchange for writing about it!), but very well deserved. Have a fabulous time!
Well done, woman! Well deserved. (Thinks to self: why didn't I do a blog about chocolate, or posh dresses, or something that PRs might like to give me? Must set up new blog –
Well done!…I agree with notwaving…..but will you feel under pressure to review it through rose coloured glasses?
@Julie B – I'm very chuffed about it and the boys are excited so can't be bad.
@notwaving – ah you do make me chuckle. I'm thinking of writing a post – Mum would love to go the Maldives!
@libby – there doesn't seem to be any pressure from Eurocamp – they have been very relaxed about it so far. I'll ensure blog readers know when the time comes that it was a free one!
Well done you & well done Twitter! Looking forward to reading about your adventures!
Well done Trish. I did something similar for another company last summer and have to say that the thought it was all the result of my hard work added an extra dimension to the holiday. Enjoy!
Congratulations that's excellent. Bit green with envy though as I'm in the middle of planning a European family camping holiday with Eurocamp!!
@jfb57 – interesting about the twitter link isn't it. Not sure whether it was the blog or twitter profile that was the catalyst but obviously it's a good marketing tool.
@Pottymummy – that's just how I'm feeling; it's sort of justification for doing the blog?
@vegemitevix – Thank you! We could only pick dates in June or September so that might make you feel better if you were planning a July/August trip?
Wow go you, what a fab opportunity for you and a testament to your brilliant blog
Sadly marmite haven't noticed my desperate pleas… both on twitter and my blog, I don't know what more I can do…
Hey second cuz – had no idea this was you till your mum told me on FB!
Seems we move in the same bloggy circles too. Pop over to mine for a cuppa!
What a brilliant result. Well done….and perhaps the first of many freebies?